Private health insurance premiums increased 13.9% in 2003, a larger increase than last year and the third consecutive year of double-digit increases, according to the 2003 Annual Employer Health Benefits Survey released by the Kaiser Family Foundation and Health Research and Educational Trust (HRET). This was also the largest increase since 1990. While employers are not dropping coverage, most are passing on higher costs to employees. Over the past three years, the amount of the premium employees pay for family coverage has increased almost 50%, from $1,619 to $2,412. The typical family health insurance policy now costs $9,068, with employers on average paying 73% and employees paying 27%.

SMALLPOX INJURY COMPENSATION PROGRAM: Smallpox (Vaccinia) Vaccine Injury Table. Health Resources and Services Administration, HHS. Interim Final Rule.. The SEPPA directed the Secretary to establish, by interim final rule, a table identifying adverse effects (including injuries, disabilities, conditions, and deaths) that shall be presumed to result from the administration of or exposure to the smallpox vaccine, and the time interval in which the first symptom or manifestation of each listed injury must manifest in order for such presumption to apply. 

The concept of a compensable industrial disease has developed only recently and its acceptance has lagged far behind that of industrial accidents.   The original Workers' Compensation Acts, as promulgated from the year 1911 forward by many of the states, did not provide for the recognition of occupational illness and disease as compensable events.

Workers' compensation is the largest of all commercial lines of insurance. Its compulsory nature ensures that the changes in the price and availability of the this vital type of insurance will quickly get the attention of businesses and regulators in every state. This presentation provides a comprehensive overview and outlook for the workers compensation insurance industry within the context of the property/casualty insurance industry generally 

The primary purpose of this document is to increase the awareness of roofing contractors, safety and health professionals, and engineers about current practices used to reduce occupational exposure to asphalt and asphalt fumes during the application of hot asphalt to roofs.  

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today joined her colleagues in calling for a Congressional investigation into the White House's role in the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) public statements regarding the health risks present in the aftermath of the World Trade Center collapse. 

Is this employee entitled to benefits under the Workers’ Compensation Act for injuries sustained while driving a go-can owned by a customer of his employer where the employee was a laborer whose duties did not include driving a vehicle, but the employer had personally urged the cmployce to take a tons driving the go-cart?
(certification granted 7/3/03)

What is the Gnidant Ancure Endograft System? The Ancure Devise was designed for use in the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms. An abdominal aortic aneurysm is a potentially life threatening condition involving a weak area that develops in the wall of the aorta, the artery that brings blood flow from the heart through the abdomen to the rest of the body. The Aneure Device sold by Guidant has two primary parts. 

Workers exposed to stress for at least half their working lives are 25 per cent more likely to die from a heart attack, and have 50 per cent higher odds of suffering a fatal stroke. Also, blue-collar workers are more prone to such illnesses than executives. These facts are exposed in the ‘modern workers health check’ featured in the latest issue of TUC backed Hazards magazine out today (Tuesday).  

 Jumpp v. City of Ventnor--Trip to the post office noncompensable deviation--PORITZ, C.J., writing for a majority of the Court. In this case, the Court determines whether a city worker, whose daily activities required him to visit various sites within the city's boundaries, is eligible for workers' compensation benefits when he was accidentally injured during the workday but while on a personal errand.

 California Court Finds Exclusivity Rule Did Not Bar A Malicious Prosecution Action Against Liberty Mutual

Barbara Morris, appellee, v. Nebraska Health System,  appellant, & Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc., and University of Nebraska Medical Center, appellees. Morris v. Nebraska Health System,  266 Neb. 285 

Liberty Mutual's failed attempt to sue the claimant for criminal fraud results in a malicious prosecution action against the workers' compensation carrier. 

Latex: NE Sp Ct finds petitioner totally & permanently disabled Morris v. Nebraska Health System, S-01-1194, 266 Neb. 285

CALIFORNIA--Calif. workers compensation fund runs low on cash. 

Calif. workers compensation fund runs low on cash.

Benefits paid to workers and employers' costs for workers' compensation rose slightly faster than wages in 2001, according to a new report released today by the National Academy of Social Insurance. This is the first year since 1992 that benefits grew faster than wages and the first year since 1993 that employer costs rose faster than wages. Workers' compensation pays for medical care and cash benefits for workers who are injured on the job or become ill due to job-related causes. In providing health care and cash benefits to disabled workers and their families, workers' compensation is second in size only to Social Security disability insurance and Medicare.  

ABA Convention - Important WC/Medicare Panel--A Continuation of the Medicare Forum and Its Impact on the Workers' Compensation System--Monday, August 11, 2003, 7:30-9:30 a.m.--A special seminar with industry & labor experts from around the country discuss how to deal with CMO claims and still move cases!

 In a new report, the ILO says the annual cost to the global economy is a staggering 1.25 thousand billion (trillion). This report outlines the occupational safety and health crisis and explains how it can be dealt with. 

Action is needed immediately to stop this legislation. This legislation may go to a US Senate floor vote any day after September 1st, 2003. You are urged to call your US Senators today!